A TOPSHAM man who has scaled more than 50 mountains with two artificial legs will deliver a talk to raise money for the West of England School and College.

Norman Croucher OBE, of White Street, will present a talk and film at an event called Five Miles High and Legless at Matthews Hall, Topsham, next Thursday, January 13, at 7pm.

Money gained from the fundraiser will go towards the building of a climbing wall for young people with little or no sight at the school and college.

The event is also on behalf of a Rotary project in Jaipur that makes artificial legs from recycled car tyres and Hospiscare.

Mr Croucher was awarded an OBE in 1977 for services to promoting adventure sports for people with disabilities.

The mountaineer was fitted with artificial legs shortly after he was involved in an accident as a teenager when he was hit by a train.

Five Miles High and Legless documents his remarkable life.

In the most recent of his long list of mountain-scaling attempts, Mr Croucher embarked on a climb in the Pyrenees last year.

He was joined by Courtney Farmer, of Monmouth Street, and an Exeter University Phd film studies student who was producing a documentary focusing on Mr Croucher’s lifetime achievements.

In addition to the talk and film, there will be a small fundraising auction which includes an original painting of the Exe Estuary donated by well-known Exmouth artist Ray Balkwill.

The atmospheric painting entitled ‘Afternoon Light, Shelly Gut, Exmouth’ can also be viewed in the window of ‘Oliva’ Restaurant, Fore Street, Topsham.

Tickets for the evening are �6, which also includes a glass of wine.

These can be obtained from the Clock Caf�, locate inside Mathews Hall, Joel Segal Books, Topsham News and on the door, which opens at 7pm.